Thailand Education System & Credential Evaluation

A guide to the Thailand education system and how your credentials compare to US standards for immigration, university admissions, and employment.

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Overview of the Thailand Education System

Thailand operates a 12-year system of basic education regulated by the Ministry of Education. Thai is the official language of instruction. The academic year runs from May to March, divided into two semesters. Thailand has a strong private school sector with international schools following British, American, and IB curricula. The country's education system is overseen by several bodies including the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) for public schools.

Structure of the Education System

Primary Education — Prathom (6 Years, Ages 6–12, Grades 1–6)

Compulsory and free. Covers Thai language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Religion and Culture, Health and Physical Education, Arts, and Foreign Languages (English). At the end of Grade 6, students sit the Ordinary National Educational Test (O-NET).

Lower Secondary Education — Matthayom 1–3 (3 Years, Ages 12–15, Grades 7–9)

Compulsory. Students sit O-NET examinations at Grade 9. The Matthayom 3 (Grade 9) O-NET results influence upper secondary school placement.

Upper Secondary Education — Matthayom 4–6 (3 Years, Ages 15–18, Grades 10–12)

Academic or Vocational track. Academic students sit the O-NET examination at Grade 12. Culminates in the Mathayom 6 (Secondary School Leaving Certificate). University admission was previously through the PAT/GAT system; Thailand now uses the TCAS (Thai University Central Admission System).

University Education

Bachelor's degrees take 4 years (medicine takes 6 years). Master's degrees are 2 years. Major institutions include Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, and Thammasat University. Thailand also has a large open university system (Ramkhamhaeng University, Sukhothai Thammathirat).

Grade Conversion Scale for Thailand

Grade Scale	Description	US Equivalent
4.0 (80–100)	Excellent	A
3.5 (75–79)	Very Good	B+
3.0 (70–74)	Good	B
2.5 (65–69)	Fairly Good	C+
2.0 (60–64)	Fair	C
1.5 (55–59)	Poor	D+
1.0 (50–54)	Very Poor	D
0 (0–49)	Fail	F

Key Credentials

Matthayom 6 Certificate (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) — Grade 12; equivalent to a US high school diploma
Bachelor's Degree (Pathiniphat/Baeng Bat) — 4 years
Master's Degree — 2 years
Doctoral Degree — 3–5 years

US Equivalency of Thailand Credentials

The Matthayom 6 Certificate is equivalent to a US high school diploma
A Thai 4-year Bachelor's degree is equivalent to a US Bachelor's degree
A Thai Master's degree is equivalent to a US Master's degree
A Thai Doctoral degree is equivalent to a US PhD

Why You Need a Credential Evaluation

A formal credential evaluation is required for US university admissions, employment-based immigration petitions (H-1B, EB-1A, EB2-NIW, O-1, L-1), and professional licensing.

If your documents are in Thai

All Thailand academic documents must be accompanied by certified English translations. Evaluation World offers Thai-to-English translation services combined with your evaluation order.